Low-level accretion in the quiescent neutron-star transient XTE-J1701-462
Abstract
Thermal emission from quiescent neutron stars is commonly used to constrain their internal structure. Although often neglected, low-level accretion in these systems may significantly affect the interpretation of this thermal emission. We recently began Swift monitoring of XTE J1701-462, to study low-level accretion and its impact on the quiescent properties. We detected episodes of enhanced activity, to at least 1e35 erg/s (up from 5e33 erg/s). Here, we request a 45 ks XMM ToO observation of XTE J1701-462 to study the source spectrum during a new flare episode, to better understand the nature of low-level accretion flows and estimate the amount of heating of the neutron star that takes place.
- Publication:
-
XMM-Newton Proposal
- Pub Date:
- October 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010xmm..prop..213H
- Keywords:
-
- White Dwarf Binaries;
- Neutron Star Binaries;
- Cataclysmic Variables;
- ULXs;
- Black Holes;
- XTE J1701-462